After six weeks on DL, Arenado back in lineup

By Cody Ulm / MLB.com

DENVER -- A team in desperate need of a jolt officially activated their resident sparkplug on Thursday, with Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado rejoining the Rockies to start the four-game series against the Dodgers.

Arenado has been out since May 23 after breaking his left middle finger sliding into second in a game against the Braves. The injury did not require surgery, but his return comes at the end of his original 6-week timetable.

Arenado went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the Rockies' 3-2 loss to the Dodgers on Thursday night.

"I think [Arenado's return] is certainly a boost for us," manager Walt Weiss said. "He's a very talented player and provides game-changing defense."

Arenado was looking to get about 25 at-bats on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Colorado Springs, but the Rockies liked what they saw enough to bring him up before he hit that marker. In 20 at-bats with the Sky Sox, Arenado had seven hits, two doubles, two runs and three RBIs.

At the time of his injury, the Rockies trailed the first-place Giants by three games. But with an experimental rotation of Charlie Culberson, Josh Rutledge, D.J. LeMahieu, Ryan Wheeler and even Michael Cuddyer at third in Arenado's absence, the Rockies have gone 10-27.

"It's good having Nolan back," Weiss said. "He was having a great first half before he got hurt. He brings a lot to our club on both sides of the ball and brings a lot of energy. It will be great to see him running around out there again."

Arenado was batting .305 with 28 RBIs, 27 runs and 17 doubles at the time of injury. The Rockies optioned left-hander Christian Friedrich to Triple-A to make room for Arenado on the 25-man roster.

Lucky 13? Jurrjens latest to start for Rockies

DENVER -- Two days after being acquired from the Reds, right-hander Jair Jurrjens will make his Rockies debut Friday, becoming the 13th different starter to pitch for Colorado this season.

Jurrjens, 28, most recently made two appearances (one start) for the Orioles in 2013, logging four earned runs over 7 1/3 innings pitched. But he's battled injuries and ineffectiveness since leading the National League in wins and ERA at the All-Star break for the Braves in 2011.

The former All-Star was acquired for Double-A first baseman Harold Riggins Wednesday. Jurrjens never reported to Triple-A though, suggesting that the Rockies had always planned him as the replacement for left-hander Christian Friedrich, with Friedrich being optioned to make room for Nolan Arenado's return to the roster on Thursday.

Jurrjens' last start with Triple-A Louisville came on June 28, meaning he'll be on normal rest for his Rockies debut. He pitched seven innings of one-run ball, which was enough for Rockies manager Walt Weiss not to put any restrictions on him entering Friday.

"I'm not going to tie a specific pitch limit to him," Weiss said. "We'll just have to watch and see how it goes and play it by ear."

In six starts in Triple-A this season, Jurrjens has struck out 27 and surrendered 42 hits, 13 walks and 17 earned runs over 34 1/3 innings pitched.

Friday's originally-scheduled starter, left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, has been pitching through back issues all season, and will be given an extra day of rest before starting on Saturday.

Logan close to returning from disabled list

DENVER -- Left-hander Boone Logan, on the disabled list with elbow inflammation, will rejoin the Rockies "certainly in the next day or two" after pitching in back-to-back days for Triple-A Colorado Springs, manager Walt Weiss said Thursday.

Logan was playing through continued soreness in his pitching elbow before the Rockies decided to place him on the 15-day disabled list on June 5. Logan also missed the first week of the season following offseason surgery to remove bone chips from the same elbow.

The 29-year-old reliever struck out five against three hits and three walks in five innings since beginning his rehab assignment with Colorado Springs last Thursday. His only earned run allowed came from the first batter he faced in the form of a home run on a ball that carried in the small confines of Security Service Field.

Logan had originally hoped to rejoin the Rockies sometime during their series against the Nationals earlier this week, but the club apparently wanted to see more.

Logan has a 5.87 ERA with the Rockies, but struck out 22 over 15 1/3 innings. Although he was operating mostly as a full-inning reliever -- as opposed to a lefty specialist -- to begin his tenure in Colorado, Weiss hinted Logan's role could vary upon his return.

"A lot of that depends on the game [and] how the matchups unfold," Weiss said. "It's tough to say, 'This guy is going to just pitch an inning or be a matchup guy.' He'll probably be a little bit of both."

Friedrich optioned to Triple-A

DENVER -- Left-hander Christian Friedrich didn't earn his promotion as much as it was forced upon him following the rash of injuries to the Rockies' rotation. But after posting a 9.45 ERA over his first three Major League starts since 2012, it's fair to say Friedrich earned his return trip to Triple-A Colorado Springs Thursday.

The Rockies sent Friedrich down to make room for Nolan Arenado on their 25-man roster.

The 26-year-old former first round Draft pick surrendered at least five runs in each of his three starts since replacing right-hander Juan Nicasio in the rotation on June 21. Friedrich finishes his short stint with 19 runs (14 earned), 21 hits and eight walks allowed over 13 1/3 innings.

Manager Walt Weiss didn't say who will replace Freidrich before Thursday's game, but the Rockies are expected to make an official announcement after the game against the Dodgers.

One possibility is the recently acquired right-hander Jair Jurrjens. Jurrjens, 28, has not reported to Triple-A Colorado Springs since the Rockies swapped him for the Reds' Double-A first baseman Harold Riggins on Wednesday.

Jurrjens' last start came on June 28, meaning he would be on sufficient rest to make an appearance with the Rockies during the weekend series against the Dodgers. Friedrich's next turn in the rotation wasn't until Sunday.

Jurrjens made the 2011 All-Star team with the Braves, but has battled injury issues since and only made two appearances in 2013 with the Orioles. If Jurrjens does get the call, he'll be the 13th different starter the Rockies have used this season.

Cody Ulm is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.